‘Dogs nine gets bad news on third place tiebreaker

[KFDM COOP]

‘Dogs nine gets bad news on third place tiebreaker

The Port Arthur News

The rules haven't changed but the Nederland Bulldogs' District 22-4A baseball playoff hopes have — and, they have none.

Even if Nederland ends the district season in a tie with Little Cypress-Mauriceville (as they could after Friday's matchups), LC-M would advance to the Class 4A playoffs by ruling of the University Interscholastic League.

It has been reported that District 22-4A's athletic handbook, under baseball, does state the rules for a situation where two teams are tied for first place but has no specific rules for a third-place tie.

Nederland athletic director Larry Neumann said he and others in Nederland's corner assumed the first-place tie breaker rules would govern the same way a third-place tie would.

The district's handbook states that when two teams in first place with the same record, regardless of head-to-head meetings, would play an extra game to decide which team is crowned as champions.

After the situation was brought to the UIL, its athletic director Mark Cousins said UIL rules state that in a situation where no specific rules were drawn up for a specific situation, that district would be forced to use the UIL's set of rules.

In this case, UIL rules state that third-place tie-breakers are to first be decided by head-to-head competition.

Under these rules, LC-M beat Nederland in both meetings this season and therefore has earned the third and final playoff spot, regardless if the Bulldogs and Bears end the season in a tie.

Nederland (8-5) hosts Lumberton tonight while LC-M (9-4) hosts Vidor (10-3).

Neumann said it is unfortunate the rules don't support Nederland's situation, but that the rules are clear, objective and that they would be followed 100 percent without question.

Elsewhere in 22-4A tonight, PN-G (11-2) tries to wrap up an outright championship at Dayton. A PN-G loss and Vidor victory would leave those teams as co-champions. They could flip a coin to decide who gets the first-round bye, or have a one-game playoff for seeding purposes.

[adminbaberuth]

‘

Neumann said it is unfortunate the rules don't support Nederland's situation, but that the rules are clear, objective and that they would be followed 100 percent without question.

Coach Nuemann is a class act, "would be followed 100 percent without question" How about maybe 50% and hijack LCM's bus.

[Guest Penny]

Admin, just be sure you don't scoreboard watch this Friday... inside joke with Joey... feel better??? Ask Aggie WEEE

[Guest BC boy 17]

"The district's handbook states that when two teams in first place with the same record, regardless of head-to-head meetings, would play an extra game to decide which team is crowned as champions."...

"Elsewhere in 22-4A tonight, PN-G (11-2) tries to wrap up an outright championship at Dayton. A PN-G loss and Vidor victory would leave those teams as co-champions. They could flip a coin to decide who gets the first-round bye, or have a one-game playoff for seeding purposes."

If there is a tie for 3rd, they go to UIL rules since the district has no policy that applies. Nederland coach was very professional with his reply. I don't understand why there then would be a choice for deciding 1st place in case of a tie. Nederland will abide 100%, why not the tie breaker for 1st? Must be more to it.

[TradinUp BH]

"The district's handbook states that when two teams in first place with the same record, regardless of head-to-head meetings, would play an extra game to decide which team is crowned as champions."...

"Elsewhere in 22-4A tonight, PN-G (11-2) tries to wrap up an outright championship at Dayton. A PN-G loss and Vidor victory would leave those teams as co-champions. They could flip a coin to decide who gets the first-round bye, or have a one-game playoff for seeding purposes."

If there is a tie for 3rd, they go to UIL rules since the district has no policy that applies. Nederland coach was very professional with his reply. I don't understand why there then would be a choice for deciding 1st place in case of a tie. Nederland will abide 100%, why not the tie breaker for 1st? Must be more to it.

you have to decide first place in baseball because first place gets a bye. Third place is either your in or your out.

[NHS83LU87]

"The district's handbook states that when two teams in first place with the same record, regardless of head-to-head meetings, would play an extra game to decide which team is crowned as champions."...

"Elsewhere in 22-4A tonight, PN-G (11-2) tries to wrap up an outright championship at Dayton. A PN-G loss and Vidor victory would leave those teams as co-champions. They could flip a coin to decide who gets the first-round bye, or have a one-game playoff for seeding purposes."

If there is a tie for 3rd, they go to UIL rules since the district has no policy that applies. Nederland coach was very professional with his reply. I don't understand why there then would be a choice for deciding 1st place in case of a tie. Nederland will abide 100%, why not the tie breaker for 1st? Must be more to it.

you have to decide first place in baseball because first place gets a bye. Third place is either your in or your out.

You don't think it is just as important to the team staying home to have the same tie breaker used for first place.  Yes it is important to determine first place because of the bye.  It's just as important to decide third place because one team does stay home.  District needs a clear cut rule for deciding all ties to remove any confusion.  My personal opinion is and always has been that all ties be settled on the field or court whenever possible.  Congrats to the teams that have made it!  I'll be pulling for you all the way. 

[Terrier]

My question is why they only made a rule for first place ties? ??? ??? ???

[elhector1]

My question is why they only made a rule for first place ties? ??? ??? ???

I would hazard to guess that it was because the first place team gets a bye, so pitcher rotation strategy was in play.  If Big Ned and the Bears had split, AND they had the same records after tonight's game, then we would have a play in game.  This is just a reinforcement of the rule that every game in this district is important. 

[silly365]

why in the world would someone that has beaten you twice during district agree or want a tie breaker for third? is this something youd agree to if the shoe was on the other foot?

[Guest Penny]

Yeah, silly, the arguement is just that, silly.  Dogs had a good season, nowhere near a great season.  They just need to focus on getting better for next year.

[SETEXFan]

Just another example of this district being completely unorganized when it comes to these decsions.  Remember this happened in football and they got the decision completely wrong.  But at least this time they listened to the UIL unlike the football situation.  Absolutely the worst run district committee in the state, including HISD.

[Guest Penny]

Although there was confusion, I think the football tiebreaker is pretty sound myself.  Head to head first and then point differential of teams tied... what do you disagree with in that system?